I have a 1959 Dexta and it doesn't like to go into reverse most times. It also gets stuck in 1st gear. Is there any easy way to fix this? I believe the clutch is good I think it maybe more of a shifter lever problem? Any help would be appreciated!

There is a very high probability that you have a worn ball on the gear shift. This is quite common. The end is shaped like a lollipop with the top sheared off and fits in the slot of the channel shifting forks. I have three Dextas I am working on and all three have severely worn lollipops. They had been welded up before and ground back down to fit, but I don't think people knew the correct dimensions or they had worn down again. You can purchase a new shift lever at many places if you don't want to rebuilt the old shift lever. I bought a new one and it fit perfectly. Just remove the bolts holding the cover plate and you can easily remove the entire shift and range lever assembly.

The only difficulty will be removing and reinstalling the retaining circlip and tensioning spring on the shift lever. If you are good at welding you can build the ball up and grind it without removing the shift lever assembly.

You will also find out that the edit function on the forums does not work so you have to proof read your posts before you post them. Otherwise you have to correct any errors or additions in a subsequent post.

I should have said in the previous post. The sift lever ball or lollipop can be welded without removing it from the gear shift plate, but be sure to cover the components with a cloth or foil to prevent grinding abrasive from contaminating everything. Also note that the lollipop ball is very hard steel.

I am recalling this from memory so it may be incorrect. I think the radius profile before grinding is a 1/2 inch diameter cylinder 1/2 inch wide. The departure line runs through the axis. The only way I can be sure is to take the shift plate off and measure it. I am not sure I have the time in the next couple of days.

Another dimension that needs to determined is the length of the shift lever below the plate This dimension should also consider the thickness of the gasket. The length should be so that the shift lever has freedom of movement and does not normally bind or press down on the shifter fork channels. This will allow for some manually applied downward pressure by operator. I will have to verify the previous statement.

Okay! That gives me rough enough dimensions that I can see how far off the lever on mine is! And as far as gasket goes this ol' girl has probably been missing hers for many years! Another thing to fix!

Tomorrow I may be able to take pictures of what I am about to talk about. As it is said one picture worth thousand words so you may want to wait rather than puzzle over my verbal explanation. I have never posted a pic here so cross your fingers.

I removed the gear shift plate and measured the lollipop. It does approximate a ball of diameter .500 inch. The parallel slab sides are not .500 inches, but are 0.370 inch across.

I told you that the top is ground flat, but it is not quite half the half inch diameter of the projected sphere. Instead it is best to imagine grinding down the ball until the mesa or flat part has a diameter of 0.45 inch. This is measured using the what remains of the circle after the sides are ground flat or you can grind the flats later.

The distance from the the shift lever mesa to the bottom of the shift plate is pretty close to 2.00 inches.

I have a good reason for taking pictures of this lollipop as I call it.
I looked all over the internet a year ago trying to get a clear close up image of the original shape. The images I found were worn weld ups based on descriptions similar to the story of the seven blind men describing an elephant each had felt. lol

That is why I photographed it. I probably spent at least an hour and a half on the internet trying to find a picture and measurements of a new one. I could not tell the exact shape and dimensions of an original one from books or vendors. I have O1 tool steel so I will probably turn the lollipops to size and then harden them. I have to figure the right profile to pin them on the shafts so they won't break. I wouldn't want pieces to get into the gears.

Fast Shipping! Most of our stocked parts ship within 24 hours (M-Th). Expedited shipping available, just call! Most prices for parts and manuals are below our competitors. Compare our super low shipping rates! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor. We are a company you can trust and have generous return policies. Shop Online Today or call our friendly sales staff toll free (800) 853-2651. [ About Us ]

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.